I love the summer bounty! The fresh vegetables and fruit are so colorful and succulent, who can resist eating these vibrant beauties? Our bodies thrive on raw plant-based foods. I think this is why our creator made fruits and vegetables look soo enticing! Asking yourself “How can I get this more of these beauties into my diet?” Then follow me over the next few weeks because I will be preparing raw plant-based recipes. Summer is the best time to set started - you’ll beat the heat (in and out of ...

Amy's admiring her pantry this week. Come see what she's doing right!
-- Denise
My family recently celebrated our gluten-free anniversary. Looking back at the changes we have made during the past year has been pretty awe-inspiring. The idea of keeping our home completely gluten-free was daunting at first but now it seems like the “same old, same old.” And having two celiacs who are symptom free? Awesome.
What were our tricks to success?
1. Get a clean start
The most important thing we ...

Curried Butternut Squash Stew
I have always loved food and cooking. I still remember my very first Peanut's Cook Book and making Lucy’s Lemon Squares for my dad every Father's Day.
When I became a nurse, I started learning more about the link between food and health. But it wasn’t until I became a mom that I started thinking of food as medicine. We lead such busy lives that committing to healthy habits can be a real challenge. Believe me, I know first-hand! To stay consistent, I created ...

What we know today about heart disease, diabetes, cancer, dementia and many autoimmune diseases is that one of the causes is chronic inflammation. Unfortunately, our typical American lifestyle and diet can be the root cause of chronic inflammation in our body. Things like
Stress
Lack of sleep
Pollution
Smoking
Lack of exercise
Diet heavy in processed foods and sugar
The good news is that you can control a number of the factors that cause inflammation. Getting plenty of ...

It’s snowy here in the Northeast and we tend to be cooped up inside. I love it in the beginning--it gives me time to be in the kitchen to try new recipes. But after awhile, I like to spend time around a table with friends and family.
Last night, in honor of Heart Health Month, I prepared Maple-Glazed Salmon with Pineapple and Maple Vinaigrette. It is a family favorite and so simple and tasty. It’s even good enough to serve to guests :)
In addition to being tasty, here is another reason I like ...

It’s easier and tastier than you think!
February is Heart Health month and you have probably heard some of the startling statistics:
Someone dies from heart disease every 39 seconds;
Someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; and
Heart disease and stroke cost patients over $173 billion annually.
Yikes! I certainly don’t want to spend my hard earned money or time in a doctor’s office and on medications. Do you??
I believe in living life to its fullest. My parents died at a young ...

I am so looking forward to the new year. I love the celebration with friends and family, followed by time spent on deciding my intentions for the year ahead. Once I know my goals, I love finding ways to kick start the new year. As you ring in 2014, here are some new recipes and traditions that I hope will bring you health and prosperity.
For your New Year’s Eve Celebration, Pomegranate Champagne Punch is a great starter. When hosting a dinner or celebration, I like to greet my guests with a ...

The Christmas holiday for my family is about celebrating the birth of our Lord and gathering family around the table with food and cheer. It is a joyous occasion, but for those who have recently lost a family member, it can be difficult time.
I lost my parents within 8 months of each other. They were in their early 70’s and healthy, so it was quite a blow to our family. The first Christmas without them was very painful, sitting at the dining room table gazing at the two empty chairs.
The ...

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness month, and as I listen to the statistics of women diagnosed, I ponder the reality that it could happen to me. I can’t help but wonder, what would I do? What power foods would I eat to strengthen my immune system?
What I do know is that we have incredible power over our health. Even if there are genetic factors involved, our lifestyle can have an effect on whether or not those genes are expressed. That being said, cancer is a stinker and can appear in even the ...

Have you heard the one about the child with a tummy ache? “He wasn’t really sick, he was just nervous.” Or the one about the freshly-baked cookie: “one won’t hurt you!” Having celiac disease or other gastrointestinal disorders often means looking fine while feeling sick. Unlike when you have the flu or hives, where you “look as bad as you feel,” when you have celiac disease and have been “glutened,” you may look outwardly fine while feeling terrible inside. For my family members with ...

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Sitch in the Kitch

Hi, it’s Denise Costello, co-founder of Chrysalis Center Meditation and Wellness, your gal who loves her “Sitch in the Kitch”. It’s my creative space where all the magic happens - food, music and internal merriment. Here I will share with you a recipe, meal planning tips, music, and perhaps we'll just dance! Whatever will raise your vibration and make cooking in the kitchen efficient, fun and healthy.

Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook

We know that by consistently eating an anti-inflammatory diet will reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer disease.

This cookbook is filled with simple, family-friendly recipes for busy parents who are striving to prepare quick healthy meals for their family. The recipes are not only for folks with ADHD but for anyone who would benefit from an anti-inflammatory diet.